Air washing device



March 27, 1934. H G, LUNDQUlsT 1,952,269

AIR WASHING DEVICE Filed Jan. 18, 1935 y FMA Lm PafeniedMsr. '21, 1934UNITED STATESl PATENT OFFICE i AIR WASHING DEVICE Hans G. Lundquist,Chicago, Ill., assignor of onehalf to Louis Kohn, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 18, 1933, Serial No. 652,260 s claims. (01.261-91)My invention relates to an improvement in devices for humidifying air,washing or cooling and the like. One object is the provision of such adevice which shall be simple to manufacture and simple and efcient inuse. Another object is the provision, in such a device, of means formaintaining a spray or distribution of water particles independent ofvariations in the .level of the-water supply. Another object is 'm theprovision of improved means for subjecting a current of air to thehumidifying and washing and cooling effect of a spray of water. An-

other object is the provision of such a device in n which means areprovided for heating the water. Another object is the provision of animproved housing assembly for such a device. Other objects will appearfrom time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention in the accompanying drawing the gure of whichis a vertical section, with parts in elevation.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specificationand drawing. Referring to the drawing, A generally indicates Z5 anysuitable outer housing, herein shown as generally cylindrical in shape,and with a flat bottom A1. It is understood, however, that variations inform may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. Aremovable cover A2 is provided which is herein shown as in cluding acentral portion closed with mesh A3 and a surrounding portion A4provided with a plurality of air outlet apertures A5. A5 are anysuitable supports, herein shown as casters, for supporting the deviceand, inthis instance, for permitting its ready movement about a room. A7indicates any suitable handles whereby such movement may be obtained.

Positioned preferably concentrically within the cylindrical housing A isan inner cylindrical partition member generally indicated as B. It isshown as extending upwardly a suilicient distance pratically to contactor closely to approach the cover A2, -as at B1. In the present form ofthe device this contacting zone B1 is at the separation between the meshA3 and the perforated portion A4 surrounding the mesh. Any suitablemeans may be employed for spacing and supportw ing the member B from themember A as for example studs B2 and the space between the two membersmay further be closed by one or more screens or lters B3 which may beremovably supported in the space between the members A and B. The memberB preferably terminates,

'the interior of the cylindrical member B,`to

as at B4 somewhat above the normal maximum upper level of the body ofwater B5.

C indicates a motor, preferably an induction motor, positioned withinthe member B preferably concentric with the axis thereof. Any 9 suitablemeans may be employed for supporting said motor, for example arms C1shown adjustable for length as at C2. C3 indicates any suitable motorshaft upon which is mounted in` any suitame fashion the fan hub c4 withthe 55 fan members C5, whereby, in response to rotation of the motor,air is drawn downwardly through the mesh A3 and downwardly through wardthe surface of the water. As escape is possible about the lower edge ofthe cylinder B, the air, following the path indicated by the arrows,flows upwardly through the space between the members A and B and throughthe air filter members B3 and out the discharge holes A5. 5

(C10 indicates any suitable conductive line whereby the motor C may beput in connection with a lcommercial source of electricity. The line C10may pass through the housings A and B, through any suitable insulatinginlets C11. It is provided with an external control switch C12.

In order to provide a spray for washing and cooling the air as it passesdownwardly through the cylinder B, I employ a supplemental shaft D,herein shown as a square shaft flexibly coupled as at D1 to theextension D2 downwardly from the fan. Its lower end rotates in anysuitable bearing sleeve D3 mounted on the bracket D'1 dependingdownwardly from the lower edge of the member B. Slidable along thesquare shaft D is the conic float member D5, which is constrained torotation with the shaft Dand in unison with the motor shaft. The memberD5 is of such weight that it floats on the water B5 penetrating somewhatbeneath the surface, as shown in the drawing but including a portionabove the surface. Spaced outwardlyfrom the conic surface is the conicsleeve D5 which also rotates in unison with the cone D5, the lower edgeof which penetrates below the surface of the water. It is preferably sospaced outwardly from the conic face of the member D5 as to leave arelatively thin conic aperture between the two members which terminatesin the circumferential discharge outlet D". It will be understood thatrapid rotation of the member D5 causes a centrifugal feed `of waterupwardly and outwardly through the space between the members D5 and D5,for discharge from the discharge aperture D". In practice I find thatthis spray may be made coarse or fine,

depending on the spacing between the members D5 and D5. I prefer afairly finespray .through which the air may pass.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practicaland operative device, nevertheless many changes might be `made in thesize, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from thespirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawing tobe taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather thanas limiting me to my specic showing. The use and operation of myinvention are as follows:

In the main I provide a central downward flowing current of air whichpenetrates the device through the mesh A3. It is drawn down by the fanblades C5 and is delivered through the spray discharged from the orificeD". It then passes over the rather extensive exposed surface of thewater B5, passes between this water and the lower edge of the member B,and then upwardly through the space between the members A and B, for itsfinal discharge as clean, filtered, humidied, cooled air.

Ready access may be had to the interior of the device by merely liftingthe lid A2. This permits attention to the motor or fan, cleaning of theinterior of the device and the addition of water when needed. I may, ifdesired, employ resistance elements E for heating the Water B5.

It is "highly advantageous to employ a iioat D5 as the spraying element,as inevitably, with the use of the water B5, the top level of the waterwill vary, droppingprogressively during use until a new supply is added,and then of course abruptly rising at the time that the supply is added.The member D5 automatically compensates for changes in level, and theouter shell D6, which picks up the water, is automatically positioned atthe proper level in relation to the top of the water. The space betweenthe members D5 and D may be about a 64th of an inch or less.

I claim:

LIn an air conditioning device, a housing adapted to contain a body ofwater, air inlet and outlet means for said housing, means forconstraining the air passing through said housing and said inlet andoutlet means to iiow adjacent the upper surface of said water, a motor,a shaft adapted for rotation by said motor, a float element on saidshaft held against rotation in relation to said shaft but adapted foraxial movement along said shaft, said float being adapted to float insaid water, said iioat being in the form of an inverted cone, andcentrifugal water discharge means associated with said float, includinga conic sleeve outwardly spaced from said cone the lower' inner edge ofsaid sleeve being below water'level.

2. In an air conditioning apparatus, a housing adapted to contain a bodyof water, air inlet and outlet means for said housing, means forconstraining air passing through said housing and inlet and outlet meansto flow adjacent to the surface of said body of water, a motor, a shaftmounted for rotation by the motor, and a buoy--l substantially verticalshaft extending beneath the surface of the water, a buoyantinverted-cone sprayer having a central bore through which said shaftpasses, said cone being rotatable with the shaft and slidable thereon inaccordance with variations in the level of the liquid, said sprayer whenrotated directing a spray of water upon the lower portion of said secondhousing, and means for creating a flow of air downwardly through thesecond housing, through said spray and thence upwardly between the twohousings. i

HANS G. LUNDQUIST.

ottimismo ofi otmgscriou.v

than No. 1,952,269.

March 27, i934.,

HANS G. lLUNDQUlS'i.

lt is hereby certified that the name of the assignee of one-haltinterest in the above numbered patent was erroneously described andspecified as "Louis Kohn" whereas said name should have been describedand specified as Louis Kahn,

as shown by the records of assignments in this office; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the samemay conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. y

Signed and sealed this 29th day of May, A. D. 1934.

(Scali Bryan M. Battey Acting Commissioner of Patents.

